TEXAS LEAGUE: Kirby-Jones leads Missions past RockHounds

Published 7:08 pm, Saturday, June 22, 2013

RockHounds' Chad Oberacker slides into third base as San Antonio's Jake Blackwood tries to catch him out on Friday at Citibank Ballpark. James Durbin/Reporter-Telegram

RockHounds' Chad Oberacker slides into third base as San Antonio's Jake Blackwood tries to catch him out on Friday at Citibank Ballpark. James Durbin/Reporter-Telegram

Photo: JAMES DURBIN

TEXAS LEAGUE: Kirby-Jones leads Missions past RockHounds

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As early as seven months ago, A.J. Kirby-Jones figured to be a Midland RockHound sooner than later.

Instead, on Saturday, Kirby-Jones helped the San Antonio Missions end a two-game slide against the RockHounds as he drove in two runs in a 3-0 victory at Citibank Ballpark.

"(I've seen) a lot of familiar faces," Kirby-Jones said after the game. "At first, it took some getting used to, but I think I've adjusted now, and it's kind of a little competition for me, but it's real good fun."

The Oakland Athletics drafted Kirby-Jones, a designated hitter, in the ninth round of the 2010 draft out of Tennessee Technological University and traded him to the San Diego Padres last November as part of a four-player deal.

Overlooked by his hometown Tennessee Volunteers, Tech was Kirby-Jones' only offer. There he went on to play with current RockHound Chad Oberacker, who he also played with in High-A Stockton last year.

But Saturday, Kirby-Jones was on the opposite side of Oberacker and former manager Aaron Nieckula, as he went 2 for 3 with a double and two RBI as he showed what Nieckula saw in him in Class-A Burlington.

"He was a heavy hitter for us in 2011," said Nieckula, now the RockHounds' manager. "(He) sustained an injury but came back and did a nice job for us both offensively and defensively."

Already up 1-0 on Saturday, Kirby-Jones sent his first RBI single back up the middle to score Jake Blackwood, who had an RBI in the first, for a 2-0 lead. Moments later, Kirby-Jones stole his first base of the season but was, ultimately, left there when Carlos Hernandez fanned Eddy Rodriguez to end the inning.

But it was Kirby-Jones who eventually chased Hernandez in the seventh when he ripped an RBI double to left to put the Missions up 3-0.

Hernandez pitched well Saturday, allowing three runs on seven hits in six innings, but Midland was never able to figure out San Antonio starter Josh Geer -- a former major leaguer who was Texas League Pitcher of the Year in 2007 -- or the Missions bullpen. Geer allowed just four hits while striking out six and walking one in 5 1/3 shutout innings.

"(We) played a hell of a game defensively, I thought Carlos threw the ball pretty well, bullpen came in and did a nice job," Nieckula said, " (we) just couldn't push runs across tonight."

And as strange as the experience was for Kirby-Jones, he said it was weirdly satisfying to play a strong role in a victory against the team he was so close to joining.

"It's special," Kirby-Jones said. "You never know where you're going to end up being, but there was a possibility of me being here, so it's kind of bittersweet.

"I'm just glad to get the opportunity even with another team and be at this level."

Follow Jordan on Twitter: @JordanMasonMRT

'HOUND BITES: Midland outfielder D'Arby Myers was added to the Texas League All-Start Game as a member of the South team on Saturday. Myers, the fifth RockHound named to the team, will replace Corpus Christi outfielder Domingo Santana, who was injured Friday night. ... Darwin Perez had an incredible defensive play to rob Yeison Asencio of a leadoff hit in the top of the eighth. Asencio hit one sharply to the right of the mound that bounced one time before Perez came sliding in to field the ball in the grass behind second. Then, in one motion, Perez got up, turned and whipped the ball to first for the out. ... Conner Crumbliss continued his tear against the Missions on Saturday, hitting his fifth double of the series to lead off the sixth. Crumbliss was 2 for 4 on the night.